from Ansar Khan of Mlive,

By bringing back Mike Green and Thomas Vanek, the rebuilding Detroit Red Wings are projected to have one of the oldest rosters in the NHL.

The moves might block a younger player or two from making the team.

But general manager Ken Holland cited several reasons for wanting to sign these veterans, not the least of which is their offensive ability for a team that ranked 28th in the NHL in goals per game.

Vanek, 34, signed a one-year contract for $3 million, after producing 24 goals and 56 points for Vancouver and Columbus last season.

"When we had him the season before, he was very popular in the locker room. The players looked up to him," Holland said. "We signed him to score goals, but he's as good a playmaker as he is a goal-scorer. He's a big body. He's going to be good on the power play as a net-front presence. He shoots right. We don't have a lot of right-hand shooters up front."

The Red Wings wanted to sign him a year ago but didn't have the cap space.

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